BELPER TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 10th NOVEMBER 2009

PRESENT:
Councillor Norman Bull (Town Mayor) - in the Chair
Councillors: Jim Anderson (arrived at 7.05pm), Peter Arnold, Deborah Biss, Kay Charlton, Alan Cox, Jackie Cox, Nick Mothershaw, John Nelson (arrived at 7.35pm), Mick Nelson, Mick Potter, Mark Robertson, Martin Tomlinson
In Attendance: Mrs Rosalind Bullimore (Clerk) County Councillors Stuart Bradford and Peter Makin, Insp. Smith and Sgt. Booth, forty five members of the public and one member of the press (Belper News).
  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Colin England (Holiday) Councillor Ben Miller.
  2. ORDER OF BUSINESS
    RESOLVED to consider the petition regarding the proposal to convert a section of Bargate recreation ground into allotment space in the public participation section of the meeting.
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    Councillor Alan Cox declared a prejudicial interest in minute numbers 1515 Babington Hospital car boots sales he remained in the room whilst the item was discussed.
  4. TO DETERMINE WHETHER ANY ITEMS SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH THE PUBLIC EXCLUDED
    There were no items of a confidential nature which merited being taken with the public excluded.
  5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
    1. BARGATE RECREATION GROUND
      The Council considered a 117 signed petition against the proposed allotment site at Bargate recreation ground RESOLVED no further action will be taken in creating allotments in this area.
    2. DERBYSHIRE EXCELLENCE IN THE COMMUNITY AWARD
      The Mayor presented Councillor Mick Potter and Julie Potter with a framed certificate and an award for their services to the community working with children with special needs at the Belper Marlin Swimming Club.
    3. AMBERVALLEY LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK SDP - Land between A6 and the River Derwent.
      Councillors Jim Anderson and Alan Cox left the room whilst this item was discussed.
      A member of the public raised her concerns on the lack of analysis and vision in the plan and requested the Council consider the plan and create a detailed response to the document.
      A member of the public thought the size and scale of the development was too large and asked for a size limit to be included in the plan before any planning application are submitted for a development on the site.
      Amber Valley Borough Council Officer Mr Thorley informed the Council that it was not appropriate to put a size limit in a Supplementary Development Plan but any new development in this area should be appropriate and respect the World Heritage Site.
      RESOLVED All Councillors to receive a copy of the SDP and the Clerk to arrange a separate meeting to enable the Councillors to discuss the plan in further detail.
    4. AMBER VALLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING ADVICE
      The Chairman of the Amber Valley Borough Council Planning Board Councillor Jim Anderson and Planning Officer Claire Thornton explained to the Councillors the changes to planning application submissions brought in by the Government in October 2008. They also explained the Borough Council planning process and identified issues that the planning authority can and cannot consider when discussing planning applications.
  6. POLICE
    Sgt. Booth informed the Council that following the removal of the Teen Shelter at Whitemoor Recreation area there have been no incidents reported.
    The latest speed survey at Belper Lane was carried out in January 2008 and the average speed recorded was 31 MPH. The next survey is due to take place in 18 months time unless there is a specific issue.
    The Operation Relentless initiative where the police and partner agencies worked within the community to increase confidence and a feeling of safety finished 8 November and it proved to be very successful.
    A 'Lock Up' event is to be held at Morrison's Supermarket 27 November 2009 to increase safety awareness.
    A School Concert is to be held at Belper School 1 December 2009 7.00pm until 9.00pm
    RESOLVED The Council would like to thank Sgt. Booth for his support with the Remembrance Day Parade and thank and congratulate him for the excellent job he is doing in Belper in reducing the crime and antisocial behaviour problems.
  7. COUNTY COUNCIL BRIEFING
    Councillor Stuart Bradford informed the Council that he would not be able to attend every Town Council meeting as he had 6 other Parish meetings to attend on the same night.
    In response to the letter he had received from the Clerk Councillor Chris Jackson will continue to address the speed and traffic problems outside St. Elizabeth's School.
    There is to be a site meeting with Councillor Jackson and a Highways Officer Wednesday 11 November regarding the Council's request for a pedestrian crossing at Milford.
    The cabinet member for young people has agreed to visit the Drop Inn Centre and look into what funding they require.
    Councillor Nelson asked for the overhanging trees on Nottingham Road to be maintained. Councillor Bradford asked the Clerk to put this request in writing.
    Councillor Peter Makin asked why when he had sent his apologies for not attending meetings they were not recorded in the minutes. The Clerk explained that his apologies were verbally communicated to the Council but they were not required to be recorded in the Council minutes. He informed the Council that the pavement at the bottom of Green Lane and Church Street is to be widened to improve pedestrian safety.
  8. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF BELPER TOWN COUNCIL HELD 13 OCTOBER 2009
    RESOLVED to agree as a true record Minutes 1466 - 1497of the Council Meeting held 13 October 2009.Clerk to write to the Drop Inn Centre to ask why the staff wages have increased and to with hold payment of a grant award until a response from the letter has been received and considered.
  9. MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Forthcoming events/Notices etc.
    Councillor Norman Bull reported on various events.
    1. Attended the Remembrance Day Service 8 November 2009.
    2. Attended the High Sheriff's Legal Service 1 November 2009 at the Derby Cathedral.
    3. Attended the Town Centre Forum 3 November 2009 at the Whitemoor Centre.
    4. Attended Coxbench Hall residential home 6 November 2009
    5. Will be attending the Remembrance Day Service 11 November 2009 in the Memorial Gardens.
  10. FINANCE
    RESOLVED:
    1. To note and agree income and expenditure incurred in the months of September and October covering transactions 3830 - 3920. Schedules are attached to these Minutes showing Income of £125,166.21 and Expenditure of £22,348.45.
    2. To note the bank reconciliation for current/public reserve accounts as at 30 September 2009.
  11. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
    1. RESOLVED to note the planning applications listed on the schedules dated 13 October - 10 November 2009 no comments were made.
    2. RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Charlton as a planning coordinator to work alongside Councillor Arnold and Councillor England.
    3. RESOLVED to note planning permission has been approved for various works to be carried out on the trees in Belper Memorial Gardens.
  12. REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES FOR 2009/10
    1. Belper and District Road Safety Committee
      Councillor Alan Cox informed the Council that the various safety issues the group reported to the County Council are rarely supported by the County Council. One ongoing issue is for the speed limit to be reduced on the A6 north of the River Gardens.
      Fleet Arts
    2. Councillor Mothershaw informed the Council on the projects the group had provided during the half term school holidays and the war memorabilia day held in the Memorial Gardens and in the air raid shelter.
      David Gibbs a member of Fleet Arts has agreed to become a member of the Larks in the Park committee.
    3. Belper North Mill Museum Trust
      Councillor Peter Arnold informed the Council on his nomination and appointment as Chairman of the Belper North Mill Museum Trust.
  13. CLEANER BELPER CAMPAIGN
    The Council considered introducing a Cleaner Belper campaign. The Borough Council has agreed to erect the bins at a small cost and has agreed to empty the bins free of charge.
    RESOLVED To purchase six litter bins and to hold a School Poster competition.
  14. DERWENT STREET CAR PARK
    The Council considered illuminating Derwent Street car park
    RESOLVED due to the land being privately owned the Council decided against erecting any lighting.
  15. A6 BELPER
    The Council considered a request from a member of the public to support the introduction of an Environmental Weight Limit on the A6 Belper
    RESOLVED Clerk to forward the request onto the relevant authority. the County Council
  16. AMBER VALLEY SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY STRATEGY 2009 - 2014
    RESOLVED to note the Amber Valley Sustainable Community Strategy.
  17. INTERNATIONAL MARKET
    The Council considered a request received for an International Market to be held in Belper
    RESOLVED to refuse the request.
  18. SOUTH EAST DERBYSHIRE ACCESSIBILITY PARTNERSHIP FUNDING
    RESOLVED to note the new accessibility funding opportunity available for local groups.
  19. CAR BOOT SALES
    RESOLVED to note and approve the Babington Hospital car boot sales dates for 2010.
  20. LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK PLANNING DOCUMENT
    RESOLVED to note the Amber Valley Local Development Framework Revised Draft Supplementary Planning Document - Land between the A6 and the River Derwent.
  21. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    RESOLVED To note the items for information included in the agenda and the schedule attached to these minutes.